It feels like a lifetime before the hallucinations finally stop. But eventually the horrific, nightmarish images of my mother's fists and the Capitol's wicked, freaky, painted-on smiles and Katniss's tortured body fade away into a sweet, black nothingness. For a while I am blissfully unaware of my surroundings and I can finally rest.

I must've fallen into a deep sleep. When I open my eyes, the world is blurry but at least it's no longer spinning. I'm still lying on my stomach in the underbrush. From what I can tell, it's mid-afternoon. How long have I been out? A surge of panic jolts through me. The Careers. They must be nearly recovered by now, which means they'll be hunting me. I've got to move. Cato made it very clear he's got it out for me, since he saw that I protected Katniss.

Katniss. My breath catches in my throat. The thought of her lying all alone in the woods, helpless and lost in the delirium of jacker venom, fills me with worry. What if another tribute finds her? I want to go look for her, then remember I can't. The Careers are after both of us. It's safer if we're apart, for now. Maybe I can look for her, just to be sure she's safe, and then leave before she sees me. But then I feel a pang in my chest. What if she's already been killed? I don't know how long I've been unconscious, but I have a feeling it's been a day or two. If she died, I would have missed it.

I shake those thoughts from my head. No, Katniss can't be dead. I refuse to even consider it.

I've got to move. I try to get up, but immediately find out it's not going to be an easy task. My limbs feel like they have weights strapped to them and my body is aching and stiff. The effort makes my head swim. I can't just lie here, I tell myself. If I want to survive, I cannot just lie here. I notice that my mouth is dry as sandpaper and tastes like vomit. I've become dehydrated. Get up! Get up! I urge myself. I have to find water. Soon.

Mustering all the strength I can find, I roll over onto my back. Ouch. My body is so weak. It'll be a miracle if I can get to my feet. But I have to. For Katniss. I have to make sure she's alive. The thought gives me a little more energy, and I'm able to struggle into a sitting position. I remind myself that I can't let my physical condition get in the way if I want to keep her safe...and survive myself. So, ignoring the heaviness of my limbs and the stiffness in my joints, I rise shakily to my feet.

My legs are wobbly and unstable, but I am able to stay upright. Task one complete. Now to find water. Not wanting to move too quickly, I walk through the woods in the direction that I think I remember a stream being. I've kept a careful track of water sources in case I got separated from the Careers. Now I'm very glad that I did.

As I walk, my thoughts wander back to Katniss as they so often do. Images of her beautiful face drift through my mind. I wonder again if she's realized that my announcement during the interviews wasn't a lie. Probably not. It breaks my heart to think that, in her eyes, everything I've done is for my own benefit, when that's not true at all. Again, I'm overcome by the desire to wrap her in my arms and assure her that all I've done was to protect her. And to beg her forgiveness. If only she knew how much I love her... Tears pool in my eyes as I think of her body, either bloated from tracker jacker stings or mutilated by another tribute, lying on the forest floor, waiting to be removed by a hovercraft. I shake my head. I can't get distracted by that kind of thinking.

I've been walking for a while now, with no sign of water. I can feel myself getting weaker from dehydration. And I'm starting to smell myself. The sour stench of sweat and vomit reminds me of the odor that hung about Haymitch after he lost it on the train.

Then suddenly I remember, and I'm overcome with frustration. "Haymitch!" He could send me help. But then I remember there's probably nobody foolish enough to spend money on me, and my hopes fall. I've gotten zilch so far. Surely...surely he could get me something. A filled canteen would be nice about now. "If you've got any help to give, Haymitch, now would be a good time to let me know," I mumble. My voice, I notice, is dry and hoarse. My throat is parched.

I glance up at the sky, hardly daring to hope that I'll see a parachute drifting down. But of course there's nothing-just a scorching, relentless sun in a cloudless blue sky. Just what I need. I shake my head and keep walking. At least the effects of the venom seem to be wearing off a bit. I know it'll take a while for them to leave completely, but I guess it could be a lot worse.

I hear a cheery, musical chirping sound ahead. When I look up I see a bird perched on a branch nearby. A mockingjay, if I remember right. I feel a strange mix of happiness and worry. The bird reminds me of Katniss, of course, as so many things do.

Then it suddenly falls silent and just looks at me. I frown, wondering what would make it do that, but then dismiss it. It's just a bird. Anything could frighten it. It's probably just-

Then I hear it. The loud snap of a twig behind me.

I freeze.

"Hey there, Lover Boy," Cato sneers. "Looking for your girlfriend?"

Author's Note : Haiii~ So, I updated :)) Hihihi... I feel so accomplished T^T xD Anyways, review and add to your favs! :)) Comments and suggestions are welcome ^^